When You Need Sedation Dentistry

For some people, visiting a dentist regularly is like paying their taxes. They are not particularly excited about it, but they do it, anyway, knowing it’s the right thing to do. Then again, there are those who equate dental visits to arranging their own funeral since they can’t help but feel great apprehension, manifested by sweaty palms, rapid heartbeats, and panic attacks.

If you believe you belong to the second category, you may want to consider sedation dentistry. With this, you’ll be able to relax and go through dental procedures without feeling anxious or uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry will also help control your movements like fidgeting during the dental procedure.

There are a variety of methods to implement sedation in dental patients, ranging from oral sedation to intravenous (IV). Oral sedation typically involves anti-anxiety medications like valium or halcyon. Meanwhile, in IV sedation, the sedation dentist has to work with an anesthesiologist to administer the drug into your bloodstream before your dental treatment.

If possible, reserve the option of sedation dentistry for complex procedures like wisdom teeth extraction or dental implants. If you are headed to the dentist only for a routine teeth cleaning or a basic tooth extraction, however, consider local anesthetics instead, or something as simple as inhaling laughing gas. Try out some distraction techniques, too, like listening to your favorite music through headphones.

From Ruin to Perfection: How a Philadelphia Dentist Can Make You Smile

Teeth go through a lot of punishment; eating and drinking may not seem like difficult work, but exposure to different substances can stain, chip, and damage teeth. Worse, cavities and tooth decay may take root and ruin them. Those who’ve had the bad luck of losing or damaging teeth should visit a skilled Philadelphia dentist like Dr. Thomas De Finnis of Wynnewood Dental Arts to return their smile to perfection. A visit to a cosmetic dentist in Philadelphia can be intimidating for many, though. The idea of painful drilling and restrictive braces could turn off potential patients. However, some discomfort—as opposed to pain—at the start of a dental or orthodontic procedure can’t be helped, according to articles published in the British Orthodontic Society and Dentistry iQ Network sites.
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Gum Disease Problems, Prevention and Treatment in Philadelphia

It is unfortunate that some people believe that dental conditions such as gum disease are completely natural, and visiting the dentist regularly will not stop them. What other people do not know is that serious oral problems are highly preventable and curable. All it takes is diligence in sticking to good oral care habits and frequent visits to the dentist.

People who smoke, drink or fail to maintain a healthy diet are the most likely candidates for severe teeth and gum problems like gingivitis. Other factors include diabetes, aging, pregnancy, genetic history, stress, inadequate nutrition, puberty, hormonal fluctuations, substance abuse, and use of certain strong medication.

If untreated, gingivitis may develop into periodontitis. Over time, more plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Eventually, the gums will become irritated by the toxins produced by bacteria in the plaque. A chronic inflammatory response, in which the body turns on itself, may then manifest. This leads to a state where the tissues and bone that support the teeth are rapidly broken down and damaged. The gums start to separate from the teeth, forming pockets or spaces that become infected and as the disease advances; the pockets expand and give way for more gum tissue and bone to be ruined. Often, this process has very mild symptoms, but through time and neglect, the possibility for your teeth to become loose increases. As the disease advances to more serious stages, the teeth will have to be removed, exposing a deteriorated gum line and an almost toothless mouth.

Problems like this may be addressed through safe and reliable dental procedures. Dr. Thomas DeFinnis and his professional staff at Wynnewood Dental Arts in Philadelphia are here to provide excellent cosmetic and restorative dentistry for smile makeovers, teeth whitening, and dental relief. With his option for sedation dentistry, there’s no excuse for anyone to miss an appointment because of fear and anxiety.

Fight dental problems; restore your confidence and win your life back with a new set of teeth through the help of Dr. DeFinnis at Wynnewood Dental Arts.

Why You Should Have the Help of an Outstanding Dentist in Philadelphia

There are many reasons why you fail to set regular appointments with your dentist. The reason could be related to work or your time managing family concerns. But avoiding dental visits entirely is a different thing. People are often reminded that brushing and flossing are not enough to save themselves from serious dental problems. Dental care at home may prevent other severe dental ailments from affecting your oral health, but on the other hand, it only serves as a personal dental procedure to slow down the process of developing harmful oral conditions.

Maintaining ideal oral health depends on a person’s lifestyle, diet and physical constitution. You may be brushing and flossing every day, but that doesn’t stop bacteria from thriving in your mouth. When you look in the mirror and see the same old pearly smile, you are not fully sure that your oral health is at its optimum. Only a dental professional can examine and evaluate your overall dental health condition. You may assume that things are going perfectly, but on the microscopic level, you do not have any idea what’s really going on in the spaces between your teeth or gums. Alone, you do not know if you need a sedation, cosmetic, restorative, or family dentistry service.

That’s why it is strongly advised for every individual to have a personal dentist he or she can trust. If you are looking for a dentist in Philadelphia who is dependable and you can be relied on for quality, outstanding and comprehensive dental care, contact Dr. Thomas DeFinnis at Wynnewood Dental Arts. Dr. DeFinnis and his staff will make sure your every visit is a satisfying one. The Wynnewood Dental Arts practice specializes in sedation, restorative, family and cosmetic dentistry and aims to provide every patient the latest in dental treatments. With caring hands and a personalized approach, patients of all ages can receive the best possible care only a reliable team of dental professionals can give.

Grind No More

Fans of the classic cartoon series The Simpsons may remember the third season episode “Colonel Homer,” where Marge angrily grinds her teeth at hearing Lurleen Lumpkin’s new song that suggested her feelings for Homer. However, grinding the teeth, called bruxism, can be dangerous in real life. It may even lead to certain health complications that would require visiting a dental office in your community.

Causes

Teeth grinding is often caused by stress, and it also occurs during sleep. You may wake up with symptoms such as a sore jaw, headaches, and even wounds on the inside of the cheeks if the teeth hit the inner lining. Chronic grinding could wear down the teeth enamel and raise the teeth’s sensitivity while drinking, eating or brushing.

Treatment

There are ways to stop bruxism. One of the things your dentist may recommend is wearing a mouth guard before you sleep. When teeth grinding occurs, the teeth will simply move against the mouth guard’s material without wearing it down. Your dentist may also suggest that you reduce or stop consuming soda, coffee, and chocolates. Not only can excessive consumption of these foods and drinks damage your teeth’s enamel, but their caffeine content may also induce bruxism.

From the Arsenal of a Philadelphia Sedation Dentist: On Nitrous Oxide

On the day of the treatment, a trusted dentist like those from Wynnewood Dental Arts will first have your blood pressure and heart rate taken as well as find out how well you could breathe through your nose. Then the dental practitioner will ask you to lie down on the dental chair, the mask will be placed over your nose, and the sedation dentist will let you inhale some pure oxygen before introducing the N2O into the mix.

With the help of Philadelphia sleep dentistry practices like using N2O, you have little reason to fear your next dental visit. Even dental surgery can be made easy with the right tools and of course, the patient’s willingness to keep his dental health in good shape.

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Facts about Getting Oral Sedation for Dentistry

If you are paralyzed at even the mere thought of going to the dentist, especially for a relatively intensive procedure like a root canal, you might be a candidate for sedation dentistry. If your dental phobia happens to be topped by a nice serving of a fear of needles, you can still find a solution in oral sedation.